Mio nonno: my grandfather’s story

by Michelle, ASRC volunteer

My grandfather, Adolfo Calligaro, arrived in Australia from northern Italy in 1927. He was a keen cyclist and amateur boxer and did national service with the Alpini. But he became uncomfortable in Italy with the rise of fascism and decided to bring his skills and energy to strike out in a new country, leaving behind his beloved family.

Life in Australia was not easy at the beginning. He worked hard, even living in a stable for a while, but made sacrifices, he settled, married and started a family. A brick maker by trade, he did long hours of back-breaking work to build a brickworks business and become part of a small community in rural WA.

My grandfather

He was passionate about making Australia his home, and in 1933 he ‘formally renounced his allegiance to the Kingdom of Italy’ and obtained an Australian certificate of naturalisation.

But none of this helped him when war struck and the Australian government rounded up many Italian men and interned them in camps around the country. My grandmother, Frieda, was left to fend for herself with three small children and another on the way – my father was born while Adolfo was imprisoned.

My grandfather worked hard to be a part of this community, even wanting his children all to learn and speak English, not Italian. But he was never quite accepted and despite showing his loyalty to Australia, was locked up in wartime simply because of association, out of sheer racism.

He and my grandmother eventually went back to Italy to retire in the 1970s, after living in Australia nearly 50 years. My grandfather came back several times to visit the grandchildren and family they had raised here.

My grandparents and their family

I feel humbled by my grandparents’ courage and their determination to make a better life for their family. I see this reflected in the struggles of many refugees today and I am deeply saddened that we continue to treat good people in terrible ways.

However people come here, whether they are escaping real persecution and oppression, or out of wanting to make a better life, all of them make sacrifices for their family and future generations. Yet our government creates a culture of fear and identifying people in a certain way to alienate them.

I wish for people seeking asylum, like I wished for my grandfather – that people making sacrifices and going through hardship to come and contribute to this country are welcomed and accepted as part of the community, and are treated like everyone else.

#TheirStoryOurStory

At some stage in our history, a family member has sacrificed something so that the we, or the next generation could feel safe, loved, and to prosper. These stories recognise the importance of giving a person the opportunity to feel safe, and build a better life.

To directly support and empowers over 3,000 people seeking asylum each year to find safety, you can donate to our Christmas Appeal using the form below.